The Critic (33 page)

“No, that’s not what I mean.” Gina’s hands went to her hips. “I mean, what are you doing? What are you waiting for?”

Bentley’s words flooded my mind. “
I’ll ask again, what are you waiting for? You want this, right? To be on Broadway under the bright lights with your name on the marquee? You say you need me, but what for? A good review? Because a critic doesn’t slingshot you into stardom. You need to control the pull and release. The slingshot can only go as far back as you decide to draw it.”

I looked at Gina with wide eyes. “It’s the slingshot.”

She tilted her head. “What?”

“And the chopsticks. He told me I was conventional and that I always went for the fork. I need to eat soup with chopsticks.”

“Andi, sweetheart, please sit down. You’re scaring me. Would you like a glass of water or something?” Gina took my hand to lead me to the couch, but I stopped and shook my head.

My voice became frantic. “No, I need to pull the sling back and not be a fork. I need to go to London. I have to be with Bentley.” I ran to my room with Gina on my heels.

“What can I do?” Gina was picking up my clothes as I took them off and tossed them on the floor.

I grabbed my toothbrush and tossed it in my duffle. “Take me to JFK.” I opened my dresser drawer and grabbed my passport and ticket.

“You’re going?” Gina beamed and grabbed my purse off my dresser.

“Yes. I don’t have a job right now, and there’s no reason I can think of to be without him. He supported me and helped me achieve my dreams. It’s time I repaid the favor.” I slung my duffle over my shoulder and handed Gina my key to the apartment.

“Then let’s get you on an airplane.”

We rushed outside and got in her car. I looked at my watch. I had a little over two hours before the flight took off. We could totally do this. I logged on to the airline’s website from my phone and checked in online, sending the boarding pass to my cell. I wasn’t checking bags, so I should be fine.

“I’m proud of you,” Gina said as she drove.

“You are?”

“Yeah, this is very un-Andi-like, and it’s about time you did something spontaneous. You’re following your heart. You’ve followed your dream and achieved it, and while I know being on Broadway made you happy, I think Bentley is the one who makes you feel whole.”

We came to a screeching halt in front of the terminal. I leaned over the center console and hugged my best friend. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too. Come home with a cool accent. Now go.”

I opened the door and hurried inside.

I had to go to the kiosk to print my boarding pass because my cell had only one bar of battery life left, and if it died, I wouldn’t have my information. I felt as though I’d answered twenty questions before the machine spat out the glossy paper.

When I finally made it to security check-in, my heart fell at the sight of what appeared to be one hundred people in line. My pulse raced at the possibility that I’d miss the flight. Security seemed to be moving in slow motion. I looked at my watch. Shit! Only fifteen minutes until the boarding
process
began. There were still about twenty people ahead of me. They really needed more agents.
Don’t my taxes pay for this?
I was beyond frustrated and nervous that I was going to miss the flight.

The thought of calling Bentley crossed my mind, but my cell had died, so that wasn’t an option. I took my shoes, belt and light jacket off and tossed them into the bin along with my cell. Once my belongings were on the conveyor belt to be checked, I walked through the people scanner. The man nodded giving me the all clear, which I was thankful for after seeing the person in front of me get patted down.

I grabbed my things, threw my shoes, belt and jacket back on, and rushed to the gate, zig-zagging and dodging people and their luggage. All I could do was pray I’d make it.

I’d been sitting on a hard plastic seat in the terminal, watching planes land and depart. I wondered how many people in those little oval windows had left behind someone they loved or if they were going to see them. How did the pilots and flight crews cope with being away from their families? I looked at my watch and realized we’d be departing soon. I reached into my backpack to put my headphones away and saw a picture of Andi and me. I took it out and touched her face before I turned it over and read what she’d written.

My heart constricted as I heard them call my flight. I held the picture in the same hand as my boarding pass, grabbed my bag, and got in line. Thankfully, I was in first class, so I’d be boarding first. The seat next to me would be empty. Andi had that ticket—how I wished she could be with me.

I looked around at the other passengers. There were businessmen and women and maybe a family or two. I smiled at the little brown-haired girl having a bit of a tantrum because she didn’t want to go to London—she wanted to go to Disney World. She reminded me of another brown-haired spitfire.

“Bentley!”

I turned my head. I could have sworn I’d heard Andi’s voice, but I didn’t see her in the group of people. I must have been over-tired. I looked at the picture and murmured, “Are you trying to drive me crazy?”

“No, I’m trying to get on a plane.” A hand touched my elbow as chestnut waves draped over my arm. “Nice picture. They’re a cute couple.”

I looked at her. “Andi, what are you doing here?”

She was breathing heavily as though she’d been running through the terminal. “I couldn’t let you go without me or this.” She held out a shiny penny and smiled. “Ya know, for good luck.”

A smile grew across my face as my heart filled with more love than I’d thought could be possible. I held her and looked into the eyes that had captivated me since I’d first seen them in a small corner store. “Keep it. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I have you.”

Later and Back in the States

After months of rehearsals,
Romance My Heart
was ready to be performed for critics. Normally that would have made me nervous, but Bentley had watched the preview and said he couldn’t wait to write a review. His new colleague would be reviewing it as well since we were a couple, but Bentley had been promoted to managing editor since his return from London. He planned to write a supplement no matter what.

My cab pulled up to the theater, and my eyes went to the illuminated marquee. I’d seen my name there during the day, but seeing it at night made my heart fill with pride. I paid my fare and stood on the sidewalk for a beat, just staring in awe. “
Romance My Heart
Starring Andrea Jordan” My skin prickled.

Then he appeared like something out of a fairytale or chick flick. My gorgeous boyfriend wore a black tux and held a single red rose. I slowly approached him, but I wanted run and wrap my legs around his waist.

“Hey, handsome.” I rolled up onto the balls of my feet and gave him a chaste kiss.

“Hi, beautiful.” He handed me the rose. “This is for you. Congratulations.”

I twirled the stem between my thumb and forefinger as I brought it to my nose. “Thank you for the flower and for being here. You look amazing.” My eyes trailed the length of him. He was just perfect.

He kissed my hand before taking it and leading me into the auditorium. He guided me though the ornate lobby toward the doors that led to the stage. I needed to get to my dressing room—I was already running behind schedule.

“I’ll see you after the show, babe. I need to go get ready.” I smiled.

He nodded. “We’ll be here waiting for you.”

I kissed Bentley hard before walking away. I wondered who “we” was.

The show went off without a hitch. The audience gave us a standing ovation, and I heard my man yelling, “Brava,” through the crowd. I glanced toward his voice, but I couldn’t see his face. Just hearing him made me smile.

After the cast hugged in excitement, we headed off to our dressing rooms. When I opened the door to mine, my smile could have wrapped around my head. I couldn’t believe “we” meant Bentley and my parents. He stood next to them, looking as happy as I felt. They’d finally made it to a show, and by the looks on their faces, they’d enjoyed it.

My mom rushed to me and gave me a hug. “Sweetheart, you were fantastic.” She released me then hugged me again.

My dad stepped in and took me out of her arms. “Baby girl, you were just wonderful. You’re very talented.” He pulled back and looked into my eyes, which had begun to fill with happy tears. “I’m so happy you followed your dreams.”

My mom came back to his side and put her hand on his arm.

“Thank you both for coming. This is really a pleasant surprise.”

Just then, Bev opened the door. I was stunned.

“Wow, Andi, you were brilliant! You had me in tears and then laughing in the next scene. You know I don’t have those emotions.” She chuckled. “I’m so happy Bentley thought to invite me.”

I hugged Bev. “I’m so happy you’re here! Thank you for coming. I know theater isn’t your scene. Are you here alone, or did that hot guy from the club come with you?”

Her face turned as red as the rose Bentley had given me. “No, Dane’s not here, but wow, do we need to catch up!”

“Yes, we do!” I squeezed her arm.

The squealing that could have shattered crystal informed me that Gina had entered the room. “Holy shit, Andi! That was amazing!” She grabbed me, almost knocking me down.

“Thank you!” I looked behind her for Seth, but he wasn’t there.

“He’s talking to the stage director. He’ll be here in a few.”

I nodded.

“Well, since most of us are here, I’d like to propose a toast.” Bentley handed everyone a glass of champagne, which he must have been pouring while I hugged my girls. He brought me a glass and took my free hand. His chest rose, and his eyes were full of love. Love for me. “Andi, when I first saw you perform, I hoped for this moment, when you’d finally find all the passion and talent I knew you possessed and for your dreams to come true. To be here with you”—he waved his glass toward the others in the room—“and everyone who loves you makes my dreams come true.”